Usually when it comes to my cocktail experimentation, I base it on the alcohol I have – or if I’m enthusiastic enough, I get a bottle and use it as my muse. This time is slightly different, my muse for this morning madness:

Tiki happened between Prohibition and Disco – a 40 year old trend which created some of the most delicious cocktails! So as I don’t have the usual Tiki ingredients e.g. Rum, I thought I’d research into this exciting genre a little bit more and find out what my options are.

The traditional Tiki ingredients:
Rum
Lime
Orgeat
Curçao

What I have:
Vodka
Gin
Ted the Tiki Mug
A Pineapple

Recap:

What I did:

CHI CHI

Pretty much a Piña Colada, but with Vodka instead of rum – then I made a few other adjustments. Accidentally made it healthier (if I could use coconut cream, I would’ve). However the accident made it light, just as delicious – which allows room to knock back multiple with less guilt! Let the fun times begin! (Warning: Slightly more time consuming than usual)

60ml Vodka
1/4 Pineapple
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
1 Tablespoon Dark Demerara Sugar
1/2 Banana
Cherry for Garnish

1. Cut 1/2 the pineapple into disks (removing skin), then into quarters. Put in a pan with coconut oil and sugar, cook until pineapple is golden and soft. This creates a syrup which you don’t want to throw away!
2. Cool the Pineapple in the freezer for 10-20 minutes.
3. In a Blender, put in the Vodka, banana, half the caramelized pineapple and 2 tablespoons of the syrup with a cup of ice.
4. Blend blend blend!
5. Pour into Tiki Mug of choice, or any desired vessel.
6. Garnish and enjoy!

PIÑA PUNCH

This was more an ode to the rest of the Pineapple, which turned out to be delicious and all the refreshing! I recommend making this one into a jug and sharing the love.

1/4 Fresh Pineapple (or 60ml Pineapple Juice)
30ml Barrel Aged Gin (I used Ransom Gin, or feel free to use box standard whatever.)
30ml Sweet Vermouth
Rosé Wine

1. If you’re using fresh pineapple like I did, blend the first three ingredients without ice – I also strained it to take the lumps out – again, bottled is easier. I think the theme I went with other than ‘Tiki’ was ‘Time Consuming’. If you’re using fresh, just build in wine glass.
2. Fill glass with ice, then top with Rose wine.
3. Ta da!

***This punch is definitely on the dry side – if you like your drinks on the sweeter side, I suggest adding grenadine 🙂

Also, apologies for my lack of posting. There will be many posts to look forward to in the next couple weeks, I promise!

Prost!